PLAYERS TO WATCH
THE MEN RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 33. Ranking: 1. Australian Open win-loss record: 61-13. Best Australian Open results: champion ’09, runner-up ’12, ‘14, ‘17, ‘19.
The five-time finalist has been trying for more than a decade to claim a second Open crown and join Rod Laver and Roy Emerson as only the third man to win all four majors at least twice.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 32. Ranking: 2. Australian Open win-loss record: 68-8. Best Australian Open results: champion ‘08, ’11, ’12-13, ’15-16, ‘19.
A warm favourite to capture an unprecedented eighth men’s singles title in Melbourne after completing a perfect six-from-six preparation at the ATP Cup.
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
Age: 38. Ranking: 3. Australian Open win-loss record: 97-14. Best Australian Open results: champion ’04, ’06-07, ’10, ’17-18; runner-up ’09.
The Swiss great will eclipse Lleyton Hewitt’s record with a 21st-consecutive Open appearance.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 23. Ranking: 4. Australian Open win-loss record: 4-3. Best Australian Open result: fourth round ’19.
The Russian took his game to new levels amid a run of six successive hardcourt finals after Wimbledon last year, falling to Nadal in an epic five-set US Open decider.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 21. Ranking: 6. Australian Open win-loss record: 5-2. Best Australian Open result: semifinalist ‘19.
The Greek sensation knocked Federer out last year, ending the Swiss’s 17match winning streak in Melbourne, before taking title glory at the ATP Finals in
London.
NICK KYRGIOS (AUS)
Age: 24. Ranking: 26. Australian Open win-loss record: 12-5. Best Australian Open result: quarterfinalist ’15. Continues to promise so much but is without a grand slam quarter-final showing in five years. But with three higher-ranked players pulling out, the hothead will avoid striking a top-eight rival until at least round four.
THE WOMEN ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS)
Age: 23. Ranking: 1. Australian Open win-loss record: 8-6. Best Australian Open result: quarter-finals ’19.
After rebounding from a shock season-opening loss in Brisbane to win in Adelaide, Australia’s first women’s top seed at the Open in 43 years has an inviting first-week draw before it could get rough.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 27. Ranking: 2. Australian Open win-loss record: 18-7. Best Australian Open result: semifinalist 2019.
The big-serving Czech enjoyed her best run in Melbourne last year and completed the perfect build-up with a third title in Brisbane.
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 22. Ranking: 3. Australian Open win-loss record: 13-3. Best Australian Open result: champion ’19.
The Open titleholder withdrew from the season-ending WTA Finals with a shoulder problem but didn’t appear troubled during her run to the semi-finals in Brisbane.
SIMONA HALEP (ROM)
Age: 28. Ranking: 4. Australian Open win-loss record: 19-9. Best Australian Open result: finalist 2018.
Went close to winning the title two years ago and returns after grand slam breakthroughs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
ELINA SVITOLINA (UKR)
Age: 25. Ranking: 5. Australian Open win-loss record: 15-7. Best Australian Open results: quarter-finalist 2018, 2019.
The Ukrainian has reached the semi-finals at the past two slams after consecutive appearances in the last eight in Melbourne.
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 38. Ranking: 9 .Australian Open win-loss record: 85-11. Best Australian Open results: champion ’03, ’05, ’07, ’09, ’10, ’15, ’17; runner-up ’16.
Lost her past four slam finals in ongoing pursuit to match Margaret Court’s all-timerecord 24 singles majors but broke her three-year title drought in Auckland in her season opener.